Methods for identifying binding partners, agonists, and antagonist of a serine/threonine tyrosine kinase

Abstract

A serine/theonine kinase protein which is associated with mitotic and meiotic cell division and which is characterized by having a kinase domain in its N-terminus and three PEST regions in the C-terminus, and nucleic acid molecules encoding the protein. Diagnostic and therapeutic methods using the serine/threonine kinase protein and nucleic acid molecules are also described.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method for identifying a substance which binds a serine/threonine tyrosine kinase protein comprising the steps of: (a) reacting a serine/threonine tyrosine kinase protein with a test substance under conditions which permit binding of the protein and test substance, wherein the protein has serine/theonine tyrosine kinase activity and comprises the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID. NOS:2, 4, or 6, or a fragment of any of the amino acids shown in SEQ ID. NOS:2, 4, or 6; and   (b) assaying for binding; wherein the detection of binding indicates that the test substance binds to the protein.     
     
     
       2. A method for identifying a substance which binds a serine/threonine tyrosine kinase protein and acts as a positive or negative regulator of the protein comprising the steps of: (a) reacting a serine/threonine tyrosine kinase protein with a test substance under conditions which permit binding of the protein and test substance, wherein the protein has serine/threonine tyrosine kinase activity and comprises the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID. NOS:2, 4, or 6, or a fragment of any of the amino acids shown in SEQ ID. NOS:2, 4, or 6; and   (b) assaying for binding and serine/threonine tyrosine kinase activity; wherein the detection of binding and increased activity relative to activity in the absence of the test substance indicates that the test substance is a positive regulator, and the detection of binding and decreased activity relative to activity in the absence of the test substance indicates that the test substance is a negative regulator.     
     
     
       3. A method for identifying a substrate of a serine/threonine tyrosine kinase protein comprising the steps of: (a) reacting a serine/threonine tyrosine kinase protein with a potential substrate under conditions which permit serine/threonine tyrosine kinase activity, wherein the protein has serine/threonine tyrosine kinase activity and comprises the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID. NOS:2, 4, or 6, or a fragment of any of the amino acids shown in SEQ ID. NOS:2, 4, or 6; and   (b) assaying for phosphorylation of the potential substrate; wherein the detection of phosphorylation indicates that the potential substrate is a substrate of the protein.     
     
     
       4. A method for assaying for an agonist or antagonist of the interaction of a serine/threonine tyrosine kinase protein and a substance that binds to the protein comprising the steps of: (a) reacting a serine/threonine tyrosine kinase protein with the substance, and a potential agonist or antagonist under conditions which permit the protein to bind to the substance, wherein the protein has serine/threonine tyrosine kinase activity and comprises the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID. NOS:2, 4, or 6, or a fragment of any of the amino acids shown in SEQ ID NOS:2, 4, or 6; and   (b) assaying for binding of the protein and the substance, or serine/threonine tyrosine kinase activity; wherein the detection of increased binding or activity relative to binding or activity in the absence of the potential agonist or antagonist indicates an agonist, and the detection of decreased binding or activity relative to binding or activity in the absence of the potential agonist or antagonist indicates an antagonist.